(A) Formal methods of planning in Bedford date back to 1825. At that time, the citizens of Palestine selected a centrally located site of 200 acres on high ground to relocate the county seat. The City of Palestine, the original county seat, had been located in a flood plain and had to be moved because of health problems. It was designed in accordance with state statutes for county seats. The Courthouse was placed at the center in a square using a grid street pattern. The lots were similar in size, number, and location to those in Palestine. Several factors controlled the development of Bedford, other than the state statutes, including the terrain, existing land use or ownership, and transportation facilities.
(B) In 1945, the city created a Plan Commission. Subsequently, the city adopted a comprehensive plan, subdivision regulations, and a zoning ordinance. The latest edition for all three was prepared in 1984. Lawrence County has a Planning Commission and development controls such as zoning and subdivision controls. At the present time, the Commission is inactive, and the documents were never adopted. The county is located within the jurisdiction of Region 13A Southern Indiana Development Commission. This agency is responsible for developing policies at the regional level related primarily to land use issues. In 1976, the Southern Indiana Development Commission prepared a housing inventory and analysis for the city of Bedford planning area. Following is a list of appropriate land use planning or implementing agencies in the area:
Agency | Address | Function |
Bedford Plan Commission | 1620 L St. Bedford, IN | Responsible for land use decision related to Bedford and its jurisdictional planning area. |
Southern Indiana Development Commission | P.O. Box 442 Loogootte, IN 47553 | Review local planning programs and coordinate physical planning in the region. |
Soil & Water Conservation Service | Steven Ave. Bedford, IN | County level agency offering environmental assistance. |
(Res. 17-1984, passed 8-14-84)